Shaun the Sheep, Adama and Song of the Sea are nominated for the Best European Animated Feature Film this year at the European Film Awards. Having known to recognise excellence in European cinematic achievements, European Film Awards highlights and appreciates the creativity of European cinema. And among these three splendid animated films having a mix of animation and emotions into play, one winner will be selected by the 3,000 European Film Academy members on 12 December, 2015.
The Irish 2D animated film, Song of the Sea, directed by Tomm Moore and produced by The Cartoon Saloon (TCS) is based on the ancient Celtic myth of the ‘Selkie’, a mythical creature that resembles a seal in the water but adapts human form on land. The film revolves around the story of two children on their voyage of returning home encountering fairies, sea monsters and cruel owls. In this era of 3D animation, Tomm Moore thoroughly loves the beauty of 2D animation and wishes to tell stories that are simple, not too sugary but have a deeper meaning. The magical representation of the entire film is hand drawn as several animation studios have been working on it for 7 years. This film was also nominated for this year’s Academy Awards.
Claymation today is defined by none other than the Shaun the Sheep, the stop motion animated movie that grossed $100 million worldwide. This UK film is a pack of humour as it has several comedy scenes as the sheep travel to the urban side to rescue their farmer. Directed and written by Richard Starzak and Mark Burton and produced by Aardman Studios, this film paved a new wave in the era of stop motion and has also ventured a new beam in the stop motion claymation technique.
And the French animated feature, Adama is the adventurous story of a West African boy who travels to Europe in search of his elder brother. Ultimately, he finds himself in the trenches of the World War I and experiences the horrors of the war right in front of his eyes. Directed by Simon Rouby and Julien Lilti and produced by Naia Productions, the animated feature is set to release in France on 21 October, 2015.
With these three story driven impressive films competing against each other, who will be the winner is a great dilemma! Moreover, it’s a competition between the creative minds of UK, Ireland and France to become the Best Animated Feature Film of Europe.